What you need to know for architecture design jobs?
Of course, when it comes to architecture design jobs, you'll need to have significant creativity, and you'll need to be able to work with clients to design buildings that fit their needs well. However, that's not all that's entailed with jobs in architecture design. You also have to be good at analysis and mathematics, to name just a few "noncreative" aspects of architectural design, and you need to be good at working with people, too.
Architects are really well rounded people when it comes to working in architecture design jobs. Not only do they have to be able to design buildings creatively and beautifully, meet clients' needs, work well with other people, AND keep to a budget, but they also have to design buildings that will fit in with the surrounding environment, other buildings that may be there as well, gear building designs specific to code and climate, and more. It really is an all-encompassing career, in other words.
However, if you do have all of these abilities, and can mesh creativity, practicality, organization, analytical and engineering skills all same time, you may just have the skills you need to pursue architecture design jobs.
It's not just about the design -- even though you are an artist
As stated previously, architecture design is just one part of the equation when it comes architecture design jobs. Because this is such an all-encompassing career, it's a good idea to get started while you're still in high school. Take mechanical drawing, art history, physics, and mathematics. A lot of architectural firms welcome high school students into their folds, with some employers offering part-time jobs even for employees still in high school; some employers, in fact, will help you pay for your education if you do decide to pursue jobs in architecture design, and may even help you find a job afterward if they don't employ you directly.
First, of course, you have to get there. So, the most trodden path, so to speak, is to pursue a five-year degree and an architectural college that has accreditation from the National Architectural Accrediting Board. In school, you'll study building construction, structural theory, professional ministration, architectural design graphic representation, engineering, and more.
There are ways to get architecture design jobs without a degree from an accredited college, but this is still advised. Some more advanced jobs in architecture design may require you to get a masters degree in architecture, as well.
Once you graduate, as stated previously, the employer you have been working for (as applicable) may want to hire you; if not, though, you can certainly check with your school's placement office, or check online at various jobsites; employment agencies, too, can often help you find work, as can recruiters specifically looking for architecture design jobs' candidates.
How do you advance in your career?
It depends; many architects work for architectural firms and advance from within, working their way up from junior drafters to more advanced positions, like supervisors or managers. You have to work for a period of time, about three years, before you can take the state licensing examination to become a full-fledged architect.
Many architects thereafter go out on their own to pursue their own architecture design jobs. In fact, as many as 25% of architects are self-employed. You'll need to have the proper experience with architecture design jobs to do this, though.
What does the job outlook look like, and what can I expect to make as a salary?
Some architectural design jobs are in low demand right now, simply because of the economy's impact on the construction industry. Because this is a lot of what jobs in architecture design entail, it can make some sectors of jobs in architecture design rather spotty. However, there is predicted to be an upswing in the need for buildings such as schools and healthcare facilities.
Compensation
In general, people in architecture design jobs across all sectors made about $60,000 a year as of 2004, with top architecture design jobs pulling in as much as $100,000 a year. If you're just starting out, you'll make significantly less, although many architecture design jobs offer benefits, health insurance, vacation time, and 401(k) options.
